Doronicum pardalianches - Great Leopard's Bane

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	1
Synonyms:	D. cordatum.
Range:	Europe. Naturalized in Britain[17].

Doronicum pardalianches (Great Leopard's Bane) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m and a width of 1m . It has a fast growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 6.
Great Leopard's Bane will flower in November to January. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Flies, beetles, lepidoptera

Soil Information

Great Leopard's Bane will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Great Leopard's Bane prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Great Leopard's Bane can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Woods and plantations in Britain[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Suits a meadow

Cultivation Details

Thrives in sun or semi-shade in ordinary garden soil[1, 200]. Prefers a moist soil[187]. Requires some protection from the strongest sun in summer[200]. Succeeds in the shade of trees[200]. Plants spread freely at the roots[188]. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[187]. This plant used to be commonly cultivated as a medicinal plant[17]. It has a somewhat invasive tuberous root system and will colonize thin woodland, it can also be grown in coarse grass that is cut annually in the autumn[233]. Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The root is cardiotonic and nervine[61, 240]. It is useful in the treatment of melancholia, nervous depression and scorpion bites[240].

• Cardiotonic - A tonic for the heart.
• Nervine - Stimulates and calms the nerves.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse from April to June and make sure the compost does not dry out[175]. A diurnal temperature difference is beneficial to germination[175]. The seed usually germinates in 10 - 20 days at 20°c[175]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in autumn[200]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Known Hazards

One report suggests that this plant may be poisonous[1].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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